Michael Cichra, 13, son of Frank and Barb Cichra, of Butler Township, works on parallel bars on Friday, March 21, 2008, at Elite Training Center, Summit Township. Butler Eagle File Photo

In March, 2008, Michael Cichra, 13, of Butler Township, became the first Elite Athletic Center gymnast to win a state championship.

The Knoch Middle School seventh-grader finished first in parallel bars for Level 5, age 10 and up, at the state meet in Allentown.

Elias Cortes was in his third year as coach and owner of the Elite Training Center. He had about 200 students in gymnastics, tumbling and martial arts.

“We drilled Michael hard in the parallel bars because he was struggling in that area. It was probably his worst event,” Cortes said. “Now it's his best event.”